The Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) believes up to 40 per cent of NSW teenagers may be missing doses of MMR.

The school-based catch-up immunisation program will be offered to years 10-12 in term three.

WSLHD public health unit director Dr Stephen Corbett said, teenagers and young adults were at higher risk of measles because many missed one or both of their routine vaccinations as infants.

“This also leaves them vulnerable to rubella and mumps, as immunisation against these three conditions is given via the combined MMR vaccine,” he said.

“The school-based Catch-Up Program will be providing students from participating schools, with kits containing a consent form and information about the program,” Dr Corbett said.

“For children not attending these schools and who have not had two doses of the measles - containing vaccine, free MMR vaccine is available from their local GP.”

“Measles is a very infectious virus that is spread by coughing and sneezing and causes fever, cough and a rash. It is often a severe disease that has complications such as middle ear infection, lung infection, diarrhoea and brain inflammation that can result in permanent brain damage.”